Putin urges people to go to the polls in March 2012

"No one will do anything for you," Putin said

MOSCOW, December 15 (Itar-Tass) — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has called on people in Russia to go to the polls in the forthcoming presidential elections, in March 2012, and not sit back at home.

"It is only you who must determine who will take up foreign policy; who will represent our country in the international arena; who will ensure security, both internal and external; who will tackle solutions to social issues; who will handle economic matters - it is only you and no one else who must determine that," Putin emphasized during a live phone-in, in answer to citizens' questions.

"I want to address those who are prepared to vote, for me, also, as a presidential candidate," the Premier went on to say. "Please, don’t think or act according to the logic that 'we would vote for him but they up there (in high offices) will do it their way in any case," he said. "No one will do anything for you," Putin said.